(2022-06-02) Bruuk's Brothers: New Worlds and Old Wars
| Author: |
inkie |
| Summary: |
Ben and Sil are joined by Mr. Dad and Aelladric. There is discussion of foes and allies both new and old, as well as literary discourse both edifying and less so. |
| Rating: |
M for Mature 17+ |
[Elohad]: Well, well, well. I've heard this is where all the up and coming young heroes hang out.
Bennarin is tipped back in his chair, one booted foot propped on the table's edge, reading. He glances up, startled, and his foot and then the chair both drop. He blinks and then breaks into a huge, goofy grin.
[Bennarin]: Mr– Dad. Hey!
[Bennarin]: You gonna join us? Let a junior hero buy a senior hero a beer?
[Elohad]: Sure, Mr. Dad would love a beer.
Bennarin 's grin can't physically widen any more. He leans back again and waves to Edris, then up-nods at Elohad. "For the whole table, actually, Miz Barleybeard," he amends. "Reckon the rest'll be along."
Bennarin sets his book on the table and leans forward, propping his elbows. "You escaped, huh?"
[Elohad]: Who's the Rest? Hm, I should sit facing the stairs so I can see if anyone comes.
[Bennarin]: Oh yeah. Well, Sil'll be here for sure.
[Elohad]: Ha! More like I was thrown out.
[Bennarin]: Sometimes we get Ael Leighton or Cam, and that druid Rissa– aww. Is she in a … should I get some cake or somethin' before goin' over?
[Elohad]: Dane has fallen asleep twice today. Nir is over the moon. She just didn't want me tromping around in there.
[Bennarin]: Ohhhhhh, yeah. Uh. Well now I'm nervous to go over.
[Elohad]: Right?
[Elohad]: He was a little cranky for a couple of days and now I think he's making up for lost sleep.
Edris returns up the stairs bearing a tray of pints and bowls of pretzels and various snacks. She arranges these all deftly on the table, dimples and curtsies at the two Ference men, and bustles off.
Elohad gives her a friendly wink.
[Bennarin]: Well, I'm glad. About him sleepin', I mean. Aunt Nir gettin' sleep too, then?
[Elohad]: Yeah, that's the idea.
Bennarin nods sagely.
Bennarin takes a pint for himself and slides another one over to Elohad.
[Elohad]: I can't remember if I told you I made it to Outland? Probably not, I don't think there's been a Wednesday in between…
[Bennarin]: I am glad to see you gettin' out and about si– what? No! Shit, I did not know that.
Elohad takes a swig of his beer and nods proudly.
[Bennarin]: You come through Shattrath? You got to come by, sir, an' see the place an' all! Well, hell. What'd you see, what'd you do?
[Elohad]: Jo contacted me because she and Cam were gonna go looking for Hex. We started out in Shattrath, followed a trail of rumors through Zangarmarsh and up into… I dunno, some weird-looking mountains north of there.
Bennarin 's eyes widen and he leans forward intently. "You got any more word on her? Miz Witchblood?"
[Elohad]: Got a lead at the druid outpost in those mountains that she went someplace called Netherstorm? But Jo has to look into it, see if we can even go there. It's apparently all in pieces.
Bennarin whistles and sits back a little.
[Bennarin]: I mean. A lot of the place is in pieces. Sometime you should see Hellfire. By which I mean you definitely should not see Hellfire.
[Elohad]: Yeah, that's what they kept saying.
[Elohad]: Every time I remarked on how surprisingly not terrible the place was, they responded with some variation on, "Oh, you should see Hellfire."
Bennarin laughs.
[Bennarin]: Well. You get an idea, then.
[Elohad]: But it sounds to me like, yeah, I should not.
[Bennarin]: Lemme tell you, when I thought we was gonna be stuck there like the Sons was….
Bennarin shakes his head grimly.
Elohad shudders dramatically.
[Bennarin]: That is too much ravager eggs for one fellow to eat.
[Elohad]: What the hell's a ravager?
Bennarin 's eyes widen again, this time with boyish glee.
[Bennarin]: Oh, shit sir. They are like the worst fucken bugs you ever saw.
[Elohad]: They sound fun.
[Elohad]: Like silithids, or… ?
[Bennarin]: Imagine, like … if spiders had less legs and way more spikes, and was like eighty percent jaws and made chatterin' noises.
[Elohad]: Oh, wow.
[Bennarin]: Yeah they are kind of like if silithids had some real black sheep cousins.
[Elohad]: I mean, I guessed, from 'ravager,' that they probably weren't anything I'd want to have a beer with, but.
[Bennarin]: And the folks stuck out there were eatin' their eggs.
[Elohad]: SIL!
Silvestre stomps up the steps. It is so loud, it must be deliberate.
[Bennarin]: That an' the fel por– oh, hey, Sil!
Bennarin grins at Silvestre.
[Silvestre]: Hi Be– Lord Ference!!
[Elohad]: Sil Not-So-Silentstep!
[Bennarin]: Belord Ference.
[Silvestre]: Yeah, somethin' like that.
[Elohad]: Yes, that's me. Belord.
[Silvestre]: I. Wow. You coming out for beers now, sir?
[Elohad]: I am tonight!
Aelladric staggers up the steps a little unsteadily, and blinks and attempts to straighten on seeing Elo.
[Elohad]: Leighton, good to see you again.
Bennarin tips his chair back again and up-nods at Aelladric with a grin. "Hey, Ael."
[Bennarin]: Got beers for everyone already. *He indicates the unclaimed pints on the table.*
Aelladric chances a grin at Ben. "Heya, Ben. 'Preciate it." He nods. "Sil, good to see ya again." Then he bows to Elohad. "A pleasant surprise, Sir."
Bennarin nods gravely and raises his own drink to Aelladric, then surveys him over the rim of the tankard as he drinks.
[Elohad]: I'll probably be out a bit more now that no one at home is in immediate mortal peril.
[Bennarin]: I mean, apart from you, if you wake the baby up.
[Elohad]: Right.
Silvestre grabs one and takes a sip. "Good to see you too, Ael."
[Elohad]: The thing is I am not what you would call a stealthy fellow.
Aelladric listens as he slowly sips a beer in a reserved manner most unlike a man who was trying to get a bear drunk a week ago.
[Silvestre]: Oh, I can help train you up, if you need? Baby'd be super surprised when you pop up at the crib.
[Bennarin]: … uh.
Elohad laughs at Silvestre.
[Elohad]: Not a matter of training, son, a matter of my lanky old limbs and complete lack of natural finesse.
[Bennarin]: I prefer to think of it, sir, as a different kind of finesse. You an' me, we have got a loud finesse.
[Elohad]: You should have seen me back in my nobleman days trying to do dance classes. I can manage not to break a lady's toes, now, but… yeah.
[Silvestre]: Oh, okay. Some people like it when you don't sneak up on 'em. I was trying not to, today.
Elohad nods at Silvestre.
[Bennarin]: Yeah, I heard you, Sil. 'Preciate you.
[Bennarin]: Ael, I am guessin' then that you have met Mr– my dad?
[Elohad]: At least you missed out on the "dance training" part of being a nobleman, Ben. Already wisely got yourself married.
[Elohad]: Yes, he's met Mr. Dad.
Aelladric nods with a grin. "I have met Mr. Your Dad."
Elohad winks slyly at Aelladric.
Bennarin shakes his head at the pair of them.
Aelladric chuckles at Elo. "Great minds, Sir."
[Bennarin]: An' I can dance, sir. Like … whatsit called. I can box.
[Bennarin]: –step. Box step? That's a thing?
[Elohad]: Oh, I thought you meant… *He mimes boxing* Bet you can do that too.
[Bennarin]: … yeah that I can do for sure.
[Bennarin]: The step is harder.
[Silvestre]: That's got footwork involved, too.
Aelladric snorts into his tankard. "I bet he can too…"
[Bennarin]: Mizz made me learn it after the Aspenwood weddin', in case we got to dance anyplace again.
[Bennarin]: How you been, Ael? Where's the champ tonight?
[Silvestre]: Champ?
[Bennarin]: Yeah, the sharpish girl. Terri.
Aelladric shrugs, looking a little embarrassed. "Not sure, ain't seen her since… since last time."
[Bennarin]: Oh.
[Silvestre]: She win somethin'?
Bennarin leans back to peer past Ael at the stairs, like Terri might be lurking.
[Bennarin]: Prize bout we saw.
Aelladric follows Ben's gaze with a jump and looks back as well, a little nervously.
[Bennarin]: She's scrappy as hell, and kind of–
Bennarin studies Aelladric again.
[Bennarin]: You okay?
Aelladric looks back with his best nonchalant lean, and takes a swig from his tankard. "'Course! Sorry, continue." He takes another long drink.
[Silvestre]: She seemed tough, for sure, so I'm not surprised.
Elohad sips at his beer and lets his gaze take in the others at the table.
Bennarin raises an eyebrow at Aelladric. It is an Eyebrow. A Hazan Eyebrow. He doesn't remark again, though, but drinks his beer.
[Aelladric]: Yeah, she trounced the other fellow. I knew I shoulda bet more on her. *He shrugs, face still in his tankard.*
[Silvestre]: Well, next time, right? Always a next time.
[Elohad]: Reminds me of young Crawford. Whatever happened to her? She still with the Company? *She has not, in fact, made an appearance thereabouts recently.*
Aelladric smiles and sets his tankard down. "Yeah, always a next time, huh?" he says, almost to himself.
[Elohad]: Until there isn't. *He lifts his mug solemnly*
[Silvestre]: The paladin? I don't… I don't really know? Haven't seen her around?
[Bennarin]: I ain't heard about her recently, sir. Reckon Sir Black might know? I'd say Cole, but he ain't mention her to me recently.
[Elohad]: Well, I hope she's not gone and gotten herself into some kind of trouble. Bit unruly, that one.
[Bennarin]: Yeah, speakin' of scrappy girls.
[Bennarin]: You said you was out there with Cam, sir? When you an' the Captain came out to Outlands?
[Elohad]: That's right. He's a good boy, seems like.
[Silvestre]: Oh yeah, he's here lots of nights. I mean, when we are. Talkin' and bein' good boys.
[Aelladric]: It was Cam got me introduced to the Company, in fact.
Bennarin nods solemnly. "He was in Militia with me. Come in a little after me, left after me too. But I known him some there."
[Bennarin]: He is a good fellow.
[Elohad]: I enjoyed his company quite a lot out there. Solid fighter, too.
Bennarin nods firmly at Elohad.
[Silvestre]: You all find that warlock went missing?
[Elohad]: We haven't found her yet, but we know where she's holed up, possibly. The trouble is getting there.
[Elohad]: Jo is looking into it.
[Silvestre]: I only met her a couple times, but she seemed a good sort.
[Elohad]: The good news is, by all appearances she's fine, just… being Hex. Going off on her own doing things.
[Elohad]: Killing Ethereals by the wagonload, for one.
[Bennarin]: Oh, well. Got to give her marks for that, then.
Silvestre nods. "I know how that… whoa, wagonload?"
[Elohad]: Everywhere we went, we described her and people said, "Oh the one killing all the Ethereals?"
[Bennarin]: We have had some ugly tangles with them assholes.
[Elohad]: Sounds like she did too, and they got the uglier end of it.
[Bennarin]: Good for her.
Aelladric clears his throat, a little embarrassed. "Erm, Ethereals?" He looks to Elo. "Sorry, Sir. Haven't made the trip to Outland, myself."
[Elohad]: So they are these… bandagey guys made of light.
Elohad says this with the expert air of someone who has absolutely seen one.
Elohad is in no way just directly quoting Jo.
Aelladric sighs. "Of course they are."
[Bennarin]: Yeah, they are– I reckon they come from the Nether, or someplace… across the Nether. No one is real clear about it.
[Elohad]: Across the Nether…? Wow.
[Elohad]: I had no idea there was an 'across'
[Bennarin]: But they glow an' all you can see of 'em as people is because they are wrapped up in bandages, like Mr– Dad said.
[Elohad]: Mr. Dad knows things.
[Bennarin]: Yessir. They are importin' some real shady shit, too, is the reason we first run across them.
[Aelladric]: The Nether? So, demons?
[Bennarin]: It was them bringin' in parts for this mana bomb that the blood elfs– uh. Maybe I should back up?
[Silvestre]: Oh yeah! That was wild. The trader didn't seem to really care at all, either.
[Elohad]: I did read the newsletters. Belatedly.
[Elohad]: I now sympathize with everyone I used to berate about not reading my newsletters.
[Bennarin]: Okay. So, they kind of seem like … goblins times a thousand. There is like Trade Princes and whatnot.
[Bennarin]: And they been bringin' weird shit in, like mana bomb parts, and also they are kind of looting the whole place.
[Bennarin]: We been huntin' 'em out of a lot of draenei tombs.
Elohad frowns.
[Aelladric]: So light folks covered in bandages with magic bombs and a hundred times greedier than goblins?
Bennarin shrugs a shoulder at Aelladric. "That is about the length of it, yeah."
[Bennarin]: Some of them is more friendly than others but it ain't real clear whose side any of 'em is actually on.
[Silvestre]: Yeah, and there were tradin' stuff to blood elves who wanted to blow up cities. We stopped 'em though, exploded the bomb and everythin'.
[Bennarin]: Also I do not know if they are in the tombs to loot… like, there is Shadow Council down in there lookin' for relics and whatnot. But the Ethereals– it seems like maybe they are after… souls? Soul… power? Somethin'?
Bennarin looks at Sil for corroboration.
[Silvestre]: Yeah, like suckin' it right outta the air into their contraption things.
Elohad sighs wistfully.
[Elohad]: Is it weird that I kind of miss that kind of thing?
[Bennarin]: It is not, sir.
Bennarin grins at Elohad.
[Bennarin]: Don't worry, sir. We will leave some more world for you to save again.
[Elohad]: Remember that time we kept a giant warship from leveling Stormwind? Or that time we uncovered a Twilight's Hammer plot in the Stormwind House of Nobles? Just as a starting point? *His gaze drifts off dreamily.*
[Aelladric]: It'd be nice if once, just once, we opened a portal and found the other side was just seas of liquor and cities full of beautiful women. Magic-bomb usin' light goblins. *He takes another drink dejectedly.*
[Bennarin]: I mean, I reckon if you are a Son of Lothar or whatnot, this side is kind of seas of liquor and cities of beautiful women. So, bright side.
Bennarin leans over to clap Ael on the shoulder.
[Silvestre]: If it was full of beautiful women, and they ain't seen a man ever, they might not be all that interested, though.
Elohad laughs at Silvestre.
Elohad pounds the table.
Aelladric sighs with a grin. "They could join the club then, I s'pose."
Silvestre chuckle at Ael.
Bennarin regards Sil a little dubiously. Why would a world full of beautiful ladies not be interested in a man? This does not comport with Ben’s experience.
Aelladric looks back behind him to the stairs for a second, then turns back to face the table.
Silvestre gives Ben a look, like, really? I thought we covered this.
Bennarin knits his brows and drinks his beer.
[Silvestre]: But yeah, there's plenty world we ain't even seen yet,.
[Elohad]: Such a strange thought.
[Aelladric]: A scary one, I reckon. Everytime we find somewhere new, it seems to come with a bundle o'more problems.
[Bennarin]: When we was in Hellfire, I would not have believed the shit we ain't even seen yet. The marsh an' the city an' the forest an' all. But then again, when I was in Westfall, I would not have believed Ashenvale or Ironforge or whatever, neither.
[Bennarin]: Problems is what we are here for, Ael.
[Elohad]: I remember feeling like Lordaeron was the end of the world.
[Elohad]: I had no idea.
Aelladric nods in agreement and looks down at his drink.
[Silvestre]: Seems like there's always more to find. And fight with. *Sil grins*
[Bennarin]: What you been up to this last week, Ael? Since I seen you?
[Aelladric]: Ah, just doin' my best in the Plaguelands, for now. A couple o' trips over the water to help out on that side, here and there.
Elohad peers at Aelladric searchingly.
[Bennarin]: Best is all you can do in the Plaguelands, I guess.
[Bennarin]: Reckoned we had done a pretty solid job clearin' that Scholomance out but I hear they just seep back in like bad water. Now they got that necropolis up an' all.
[Silvestre]: I think Cap's been trying to get some folks out there to help, but we're only so big, and with Outland and all..
[Aelladric]: Yeah, got some friends among the elves from Hyjal I like to keep tabs on. But that necropolis has stirred up the hornet's nest up there, been keepin' us busier and busier.
Bennarin grimaces.
[Aelladric]: I've run into one o'Cobalt up there, said the same thing. Boopsie, I think.
[Bennarin]: Oh, I ain't met her, but I have heard she is a piece of work. Wouldn't mind fightin' with her sometime.
[Bennarin]: I mean, with her, not with her. Y'know.
[Silvestre]: Least we've got some people up that way. I'd go, only I got other responsibilities. And I'm a responsible guy, these days.
Elohad smiles warmly.
[Aelladric]: Oh yeah? Sil, I've heard o'Ben's wife, and now Mrs. Dad. How about you? Is there a Mrs… uh, Silentstep?
[Elohad]: Mrs. Dad. Heh heh.
[Bennarin]: … if you call my Aunt Nir 'Mrs Dad' I reckon we will find out how fast your eyes can bleed. *Ben is grinning.*
Silvestre chuckles. "No, not really. Nobody in particular. I mean, I been talkin' to that elf girl, but pretty sure we're just friends."
Aelladric shrugs. "Friends is good, too. Those're few enough these days."
[Aelladric]: Not countin' you fine folks. *He raises his tankard in salute.*
[Bennarin]: Was gonna say. Plenty of friends in the Company.
Silvestre salutes them with his beer glass and takes a gulp.
[Bennarin]: Sil, how is– what's her name? I have forgot, sorry. Your elf.
Bennarin looks chagrined.
Silvestre thinks for a moment, then laughs. "Well, by elf girl I meant Rissa, but I reckon there's Aze too. Been makin' friends with lots of elves lately."
[Bennarin]: Oh! Rissa! Wonder if she'll be by. I loaned her a book.
[Silvestre]: Oh yeah? Something exciting?
[Bennarin]: Uh. An Elanor Steelbloom.
Elohad grins.
[Elohad]: Oh, that's dangerous stuff.
Silvestre chokes on his beer a little. "You gave her a… you were reading a…"
[Bennarin]: I was readin' one last week an' she asked about it.
Aelladric looks around the table confused.
[Bennarin]: I ain't finished the one I am on yet so I sent her one I already read.
[Silvestre]: Romance writer, *Sil explains to Ael.* Kinda steamy one, yeah? But you see her in all the bookshops.
[Elohad]: Yes, yes you do. See her. In bookshops.
[Elohad]: And nowhere else in particular.
Elohad chuckles.
[Elohad]: She writes steamy romance, yes, but classy. It has plot.
Silvestre tilts his head at Elohad and takes another sip of beer. "What, you met her before or somethin'?"
[Elohad]: I have. We have met.
[Silvestre]: Oh wow. Don't think I've ever met a famous writer.
[Elohad]: I have been a fan of hers since I was very very young and then recently we did in fact meet. A few times.
Bennarin slides his book toward Aelladric. The cover features a Very Dramatic illustration of a man in a pirate's garb and eyepatch clasping a swooning young lady to his bronzed chest. (His pirate shirt is open.) It is called THE SIREN AND THE SCOUNDREL.
[Bennarin]: They are good adventures an' shit.
Bennarin totally reads them for the adventures an' shit.
[Bennarin]: I shown it to Rissa an' she asked me was it a bestiary.
Silvestre laughs.
Bennarin grins at Sil.
Aelladric eyes Elohad, then looks down at the book with a grin. "Haven't done much readin' lately. Not since…" He closes his eyes in thought. "Maybe Lordaeron? Wouldn't be the worst habit to pick back up."
[Elohad]: Uh, maybe don't start with Elanor Steelbloom.
[Bennarin]: Well. If you are lookin' for– oh.
Bennarin slides his book back toward himself and shrugs.
[Elohad]: So you're reading her now?
[Elohad]: I thought it was too "weird."
Elohad stares Ben down.
[Bennarin]: Just the one, sir. That one was too weird.
[Elohad]: Yes, definitely do not read "The Truest Knight."
Aelladric makes a mental note of "The Truest Knight" specifically because he was told not to read it, so is very intrigued.
[Silvestre]: I could send you a copy of the Invasion of Draenor. Doing a club meetin' on that one soon.
[Elohad]: Yes, nonfiction! Always a good choice.
[Bennarin]: Sil's book club is pretty excellent. I am almost done with that one, too, Sil.
[Aelladric]: I'd like that, Sil. Could be useful, too. Though, a book "club"?
[Silvestre]: Oh yeah. We talk about what all was in the book, people chip in their own stuff they know.. we did dwarf stuff a while back and Oranna knew a lot about dwarves.
[Bennarin]: Captain makes clockworks for it sometimes.
[Silvestre]: And I usually set up some kinda clockwork stuff with explosions.
[Silvestre]: Yeah. *Sil nods happily* Gotta have props.
[Bennarin]: Like, to model the stuff that happens. It's historical.
[Aelladric]: Might be a little too… academic for me, but I wouldn't mind supportin' a Company venture.
[Silvestre]: Oh sure, we're gonna meet up Saturday. And maybe more regular-like, after. Since I'm responsible and all.
Aelladric grins at Sil. "Sounds like you're tryin' to convince yourself."
Silvestre glances back to Ben. "And on the other elf, I think she's doin' better? Seemed tired, but wasn't drunk. Maybe she's healin' up on her own."
Bennarin nods at Sil.
[Silvestre]: Blood elf, took an injury to the head, *Sil explains, for the others.* I been asking her questions about blood elf stuff we run into.
[Elohad]: Could you ask her what the hell? Just, in general?
Bennarin laughs.
Aelladric snorts into his drink.
[Silvestre]: About blood elfs, sir? *Sil blinks.*
[Silvestre]: There's this group of 'em defected and joined Shattrath instead of attacking it. The Naaru says they're okay, and they seem friendly enough. She's with them.
[Elohad]: I did hear something about that, but I just can't wrap my head around any of it.
[Aelladric]: Still never understood them joinin' up with the Horde to begin with. Maybe I don't understand the politics of it, but… I was on the front during War Two. I saw what the orcs… *He shrugs and takes a drink.*
[Elohad]: I fought beside them in the Second War. And now they're … Horde, mostly? It's just so f– such a mess.
[Bennarin]: Yeah, I mean– it's a lot. There is some high elfs out there with the Sons, who are on our side, an' there is the blood elfs in Shattrath like Sil says, an' there is the Horde blood elfs who are out there fightin'… demons an’ everythin' like we are? An' then there are these whole other blood elfs who are doin' fuck knows what with mana bombs and Illidan and that prince of theirs.
[Bennarin]: It is too many elfs to keep track of.
[Bennarin]: I like our ones. You always know what side they're on.
[Silvestre]: Oh, I did ask her about some of that. She was real annoyed at humans for puttin' em in a prison when they were all supposed to be fightin' Scourge together. I… um… I wasn't there, though, so I only got her side of how that went down…
Bennarin blinks.
[Silvestre]: But yeah, Rissa and her folks are real steady. Good allies.
[Aelladric]: Yeah, I heard a little o'that. Command ain't always make the best calls, but still… Horde? Orcs? *He says this last word like a curse.*
[Silvestre]: Yeah, I dunno. Maybe if they were mad enough at the humans?
Elohad grunts.
[Elohad]: Some younger folks, I can understand their being orc sympathizers. But elves are not, on the whole, all that young.
[Silvestre]: I could ask her about it. I didn't ask her nothin' about orcs yet. But yeah, I don't see why they'd be friends.
[Bennarin]: Just, it's hard to imagine how anyone brung up in the world is gonna be an orc sympathizer.
Silvestre nods at Ben.
Aelladric nods and takes a drink.
[Silvestre]: Or even that world. I mean, the shit they done there…
[Elohad]: Believe it or not, there are folks young enough not to remember, who are considered more or less adults.
[Elohad]: Well I mean, Ben, you never really saw the worst of what they did, yourself, did you?
Silvestre shifts uncomfortably and takes another drink of beer.
[Bennarin]: I mean, I was not here when the portal opened neither, no sir. I was too little for most of it.
Aelladric swirls his drink with a frown.
[Bennarin]: But the shit I heard from Aunt Nir an' you an' other folks, an' what I seen in places…
[Bennarin]: I dunno. Ain't seem right to me.
[Silvestre]: I saw 'em rebuilding… *Sil mumbles, drinking more beer*
[Aelladric]: Guess that's a good thing, ain't it, Sir?
[Elohad]: It is. It's just… mostly our lifespans make it easy for the world to forget.
[Elohad]: To maybe trust where they shouldn't.
[Elohad]: Elves should be different.
Bennarin nods somberly.
[Bennarin]: Yessir, I see what you are sayin'.
[Aelladric]: I'd like t'think there'll come a time afore I'm dirt that young folk won't have those kinda memories at all, but… I doubt it.
[Bennarin]: Damn, Ael, you got to rein in some of that fucken optimism some of the time, you are practically giddy with it.
Aelladric snorts and smiles sadly, looking at his drink with another swirl.
Silvestre grimaces at that. "But maybe the long memory comes with bad, too. Not lettin' people get another chance, if they need it. Probably not orcs, but you know…"
[Elohad]: I'm pretty good at second chances, at hope. I just… yeah. Orcs. I grew up a stone's throw from the portal. They hit us first. It's… it's hard.
Bennarin slides a bowl of pretzels toward Aelladric, perhaps a touch apologetically.
[Elohad]: Ben knows. I might be among the first handful of people in this world evver to see an ogre.
Aelladric looks up at Elo with a mixture of curiosity and understanding. He flashes Ben a warm grin and a nod, and takes a few.
Bennarin nods somberly again at Elo.
[Aelladric]: Really, Sir? You were there-there?
Aelladric leans in like a kid about to hear his favorite story.
[Elohad]: Yeah. I was… damn, just a kid. Barely of age. My father had been missing for a while so I got put in charge of the estate.
[Elohad]: Some of our hunters had been disappearing in the swamp, and so I got a bunch of men together to go east. Through Deadwind Pass. Try to find some sign of them.
[Elohad]: Their trail led to a cave. I smelled an ambush coming a mile off, so I cooked up a little plan.
Aelladric holds his drink limp in his hand, forgotten, as he eats up every word.
[Elohad]: I put my best archer up in a tree, positioned my footmen around the cave mouth. Rode up solo on my horse, letting his hooves strike the rock nice and loud.
Silvestre leans back, listening to the story.
[Elohad]: Then I had my archer shoot my horse. Not to kill, just to make him scream and throw me off. I fell. Dislocated my shoulder, cried out. Figured the mob would know the cries for real pain and come running out, ready to prey on the broken boy…
[Elohad]: … but it was an ogre.
Silvestre gasps.
[Elohad]: My men did their best, but it threw them like dolls. I couldn't get up. I was hurt worse than I'd planned.
Aelladric gasps.
[Elohad]: Thank the Light for Danna in the tree. She put an arrow right into its eye.
Bennarin is wide-eyed and rapt, though he's heard the story before.
[Elohad]: Clambered down and held me like I was six.
[Aelladric]: What'd… what'd ya think it was?
[Elohad]: We never actually saw any orcs that day. We all figured the ogre was some experiment of Medivh's gone loose.
[Elohad]: And that would take care of it.
[Elohad]: I thought we'd won. Heh.
[Elohad]: All the bodies were in that cave, accounted for.
[Elohad]: I think now… I think the orcs put them there. They were still trying to avoid being found.
Bennarin glowers into his beer. Oh no, his beer is empty. He sets it aside and picks up a fresh one to glower into.
[Silvestre]: That makes sense. I think they were like allies or something?
Aelladric scowls.
[Elohad]: Yeah, the ogres came over with them.
[Elohad]: Ogres aren't from here. That was one of the first ones ever on Azeroth, we killed.
[Elohad]: But… yeah, eventually the orcs had more and more numbers, and the skirmishes started up… we knew we were dealing with something else entirely.
[Silvestre]: We see a lot in Outland. *Sil nods*
[Elohad]: They leveled the Ference estate, then took Grand Hamlet. It was just… absolute chaos.
[Elohad]: My father nowhere to be found.
[Elohad]: I guess they must have gotten him somehow, on his way back from that party at Medivh's place. He went there sometimes.
Aelladric nods. "I remember hearin' about Grand Hamlet. Word got to us slow, but it got there."
[Aelladric]: But we never thought…
[Elohad]: Yeah. They built Darkshire on top of it.
[Aelladric]: Sorry to hear about your Pa, sir. Mine went missin' not long after. Same reason, I guess.
[Elohad]: You can still see the Ference tower, right there on the border. Still barely standing. But the rest is gone.
[Elohad]: We're the tower now. Right, son? *He smiles warmly to Ben.*
Bennarin sits forward to plant his elbow on the table again, this time to roll up his sleeve and display the black tower tattooed on his inner forearm.
[Bennarin]: That's us, sir.
Elohad 's smile turns into a grin.
[Elohad]: I already got one tattoo, don't tempt me to get another.
Aelladric eyes the tattoo and looks to Ben with warm respect, then a little guilt.
[Elohad]: Light, me trying to impress your mother. I was such a fool. *He laughs*
[Elohad]: Old men in love…
Bennarin grins back at Elo.
Silvestre smiles at the three of them.
[Elohad]: Strutting around shirtless on that ship. 'Oh, my tattoo is healing, gotta give it some air…' *He feigns dramatic flexing*
Bennarin laughs.
Aelladric chuckles.
Silvestre chuckles. "Did you pull that with yours Ben?"
[Bennarin]: I did not, no. I got mine out with Cole for his bachelor night, and then kind of … sprung 'em on Mizz after the weddin'. I reckon Cole might’ve pulled somethin’ like that, though.
Bennarin grins again.
Silvestre laughs. "Hope Mordecai appreciated it."
[Bennarin]: Mordecai come to me all, 'How long was it before you could use your arm again?' an' all, and I was like, 'What?'
[Bennarin]: An' Mordecai explained he'd been doin' for Cole, takin’ care of him after the tattoo, an' it just seemed to be goin' on an' on while Cole recovered…
[Aelladric]: You get a tower on your arm, and Colson gets half a library on his.
Elohad chuckles.
[Bennarin]: Well, yeah, that is Cole. Never five words when he could do fifty.
[Elohad]: I've got the Cobalt Company symbol, all across my back.
[Silvestre]: Bet that hurt. *Sil whistles. It's not clear if he means Elo or Cole or both.*
[Elohad]: Your mother finally admitted that it drove her– uh that she liked it.
[Bennarin]: Ain't need to hear that, Dad.
Elohad grins.
[Silvestre]: Okay, I reckon I best be gettin' back to Shattrath. Good seeing you all, Ben, Ael, Lord Ference.
[Elohad]: Yeah, it sure is nice to get out and have a drink.
Silvestre stands at attention and salutes.
Elohad salutes Silvestre with respect.
Aelladric nods at Sil. "Pleasure as always, Sil."
[Bennarin]: I should maybe get movin' too, see if the baby's awake yet or Aunt Nir's still barred the door.
[Elohad]: Heh heh.
[Bennarin]: … maybe I will stop by the cheese shop on the way, just in case.
Aelladric looks at both of them with a thoughtful look, then drains his drink. "Yeah, I should head out m'self."
[Elohad]: Good to spend some time with you, Leighton.
[Bennarin]: Good to see you again, Ael, yeah.
[Aelladric]: Always a good time, Ben.
[Elohad]: You'll be a fine addition to the Company.
Aelladric blushes. "You as well, sir. And thank you."
Elohad salutes Aelladric with respect.
[Aelladric]: I'd love to hear more stories of War One someday.
[Elohad]: Absolutely.
[Elohad]: I never shut up.
Bennarin nods solemnly.
Elohad gives Ben a Look.
[Elohad]: You are not supposed to agree, son.
Bennarin is an angel, look at him. A perfect angel babby.
[Aelladric]: I was just too young. I couldn't… I didn't get to… *Ael looks down.* I didn't get to fight. Love to hear what you all got up to. What my Pa maybe got up to.
[Elohad]: Sure thing.
[Elohad]: Anytime.
Aelladric salutes them both with warm smile and renewed energy.
Bennarin nods affably to Aelladric. "You take care, Ael."
[Aelladric]: Happy to be here, fellas. Thanks again for the drinks, Ben.
Elohad and Ben make perfectly normal exits and do not vanish into air.
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